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  Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy

  • “The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industries in Ohio are on the verge of considerable success. One piece of the puzzle that will help push us over the top is a united voice for the fuel cell and hydrogen industries. The FCHEA provides Ohio, the rest of the country—and the Industry-- with that voice through advocacy, support and a united front.”

    Patrick Valente,
    Executive Director,
    Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition

  • “Now, more than ever, the fuel cell and hydrogen energy industries need to speak in one powerful voice. FCHEA's efforts have been exceptional in creating a compelling platform to advance industry initiatives on Capitol Hill and within the States”

    Shannon Baxter-Clemmons
    PhD, Executive Director,
    South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance

  • “By providing clean, efficient and continuous base-load energy for buildings and enabling zero-emission transportation, fuel cells have become a proven and crucial component of the clean energy network. We are extremely grateful for the important work FCHEA is doing to raise the profile of these game-changing energy technologies for the marketplace, policy makers, key decision-makers and the general public.”

    Mike Brown
    Vice President,Government Affairs, and General Counsel,
    UTC Power

  • "FCHEA's efforts are providing great help in moving Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles to a new level of market acceptance in a way one individual automaker could not."

    Stephen Ellis,
    American Honda

  • "FCHEA brings a strong, united voice about fuel cells and hydrogen to a national audience. We look forward to working closely with FCHEA staff and members to advance the commercialization of fuel cells in the United States."

    Catherine Dunwoody,
    Executive Director,
    California Fuel Cell Partnership

  • "FCHEA is an important conduit for informing and educating government leaders and the public about the impact hydrogen is making today as well as significant technology advances, and hydrogen’s role in solving the clean energy issue for all future generations."

    Ed Kiczek
    Global Business Director,
    Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products

  • “Plug Power greatly appreciates the importance of FCHEA in advancing hydrogen fuel cell solutions in commercial applications. It is the visionary collaboration of the partnership that provides a strong foundation for today’s advanced technology to prove out value, viability and reliability in key markets. Industry pioneers, like FCHEA, will ensure a path to a future that includes hydrogen and fuel cells as core to the clean energy network”

    Andy Marsh
    CEO
    Plug Power

  • "Solar and wind are good technologies, but they do not address the total customer need for continuous power as fuel cells and hydrogen energy do . Many customers require a more dependable base-load, energy efficient solution that works around the clock, and in a smaller footprint. ClearEdge Power fuel cells provide exactly that solution, and the FCHEA helps us to inform and educate customers and policymakers about the many benefits of fuel cells and hydrogen energy."

    Russel Ford
    President & CEO
    ClearEdge Power


Hydrogen is Safe

Hydrogen inherently poses no more danger than other conventional fuels, such as gasoline or natural gas.  Here are some facts about hydrogen:

  • Hydrogen is non-toxic, non-poisonous, and will not contaminate groundwater. A release of hydrogen into the air will not contribute to atmospheric pollution.

  • Hydrogen is 14 times lighter than air and rises at 20 meters per second, which means that it diffuses extremely rapidly.  Due this high buoyancy, when released into the air, hydrogen quickly diffuses into a non-flammable concentration.

  • When compared to hydrocarbon fires, hydrogen fires have much lower levels of radiant heat, greatly reducing the risk of secondary fires.

  • Hydrogen needs oxygen to burn, meaning that combustion within a hydrogen tank is impossible.  In event of a leak, the physical properties of hydrogen would force the gas to quickly diffuse and rise, moving the gas away from the leak.

  • Because liquid hydrogen must be stored at extremely cold temperatures (below -423 degrees Fahrenheit), today’s storage containers are double-walled, vacuum-jacketed, superinsulated, and designed to vent hydrogen safely in gaseous form if a breach of either the outer or inner wall is detected.

  • Gasoline and natural gas can be explosive at very low concentration levels, between 1.1-3.3% and 5.7-14% respectively.  Unlike these fuels, hydrogen requires a much higher concentration be present as it is explosive at concentrations of 18.3-59%.  It is less likely to reach this concentration threshold due to hydrogen’s lightness and rapid diffusion rates.

As of June 2012, the United States safely produces and uses over 9 million tons of hydrogen per year.  Standards and regulations have been set to ensure the safe production, storage, handling, and use of hydrogen.  All hydrogen components undergo strict third-party testing for safety and structural integrity.

For more hydrogen and fuel cell safety information, visit HydrogenandFuelCellSafety.info or check out our Hydrogen Safety Fact Sheet

 
 
Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program and Vehicle Technologies Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR)
May 13-17, 2013 | Washington, DC
16th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO + Forum
Wednesday - June 12 9:30 am - 4:30 pm | Washington, DC
Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2013 (HFC2013)
June 16-19, 2013 | Vancouver, British Columbia
Alternative Clean Transportation 2013 (ACTEXPO 2013)

June 24-27, 2013 | Washington, D.C.
5th International Conference on Hydrogen Safety (ICHS2013)
September 9 - 11, 2013 | Brussels, Belgium
World Hydrogen Technologies Convention (WHTC)
September 25 - 28, 2013 | Shanghai, China
2013 Fuel Cell Seminar & Energy Exposition
October 21-24, 2013 | Ohio
Electric Vehicle Symposium
November 17 - 20, 2013 | Spain